After a promising display against the Cheetahs last weekend, the Southern Kings have opted to field a relatively unchanged side to face the Lions this Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The team sees only two changes to the starting line up, as prop Charl du Plessis returns from injury and Shane Gates gets a start at inside centre, after playing off the bench last week.

The Southern Kings struggled against the much stronger Cheetahs scrum, and bringing du Plessis into the starting line up will bring more experience to the scrum.

“Charl brings a bit more experience to the front row and more bulk,” said Southern Kings caretaker coach Robbie Kempson.

“The scrums did not go as I would have liked against the Cheetahs,” Kempson said. “We were under pressure for the majority of our scrums, so we have worked on those issues today, with an extended session on the scrumming machine,” he said.

Gates replaces Dwayne Jenner at inside centre, but the latter might have to move to outside centre if Ronnie Cooke fails a fitness test after he took a knock to the hip last week. If Jenner comes in for Cooke he will be replaced by Brian Skosana on the bench.

The Lions beat the Southern Kings in their first Super Rugby promotion / relegation match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last year, 26 – 19, but were unable to do the same when they hosted the Kings in the second at Ellispark, and went down 18 – 23.

Kick-off will be at 5pm at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. (not televised)

Yes the cheetahs scrum was always gonna put us under pressure……would like to see what kings can do on a more even foot. That said Franco and lions loosetrio not bad. Kings halfbacks was good against goosen and co……this weekend jantjies and co…..

Comment 8, posted at 30.01.14 08:29:50 by KingsArmy

@robdylan (Comment 5) : It was so sad to see the ZRA move to the Eastern Cape. I know that region needed it and perhaps funding at the time was better but they were really starting to create something good in Empangeni. The Zululand Rhinos u20s looked really good and their was a knock on effect with their senior side. However since the ZRA has moved that region has gone backwards at an alarming rate which is so sad as that is an area of untapped talent.

Comment 9, posted at 30.01.14 08:48:44 by SheldonK

@KingsArmy (Comment 8) : You cant expect a strong Kings scrum when the personnel changes so often. The prop/lock combo and feel in the scrums takes time to work out and get cohesion.

Comment 10, posted at 30.01.14 08:50:25 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 10) : Agree, but also cheetahs got basically a bok frontrow…..hopefully kings can stand their man against lions. Just another reason why I would like to see the kings in cc. Lots of people has come and go over the last couple of years. Time for some stability in this region.

Comment 11, posted at 30.01.14 09:03:07 by KingsArmy

@KingsArmy (Comment 11) : If SARU has any brains- wishful thinking. They would make an 8 team currie cup. teams play 1 round and then split into a top 4 and bottom 4 for another double round and then top 2 play in the final. That will reward teams that a consistently good and not just those that rely on returning boks for last 3 games.

@Baylion (Comment 13) : Loose 3 would be okay, but that ‘ s about it really.

Maybe I’m just spoiled with our “bok laden ” team but these guys will need to perform out of their skins in super rugby to make an impression…

Comment 14, posted at 30.01.14 11:56:37 by Original Pierre

Where’s Jantjies??

Comment 15, posted at 30.01.14 12:00:51 by KingsArmy

@Baylion (Comment 13) : It surprises me that there is nobody better than Chrysander Botha? That front 5 could be a bit light for super rugby

Comment 16, posted at 30.01.14 12:04:39 by SheldonK

@Original Pierre (Comment 14) : This isn’t the “strongest available” side. A number of newbies and the Pumas players are getting another chance to impress while some first choice players coming back from injury are playing in the Vodacom Cup team against the Blue Bulls.

But I agree, a lot of players will have to make a set up for the Lions to perform reasonably well in Super Rugby

Comment 17, posted at 30.01.14 12:05:45 by Baylion

@KingsArmy (Comment 15) : Jantjies had a shoulder op during the off-season and will only be ready to play towards the end of Feb.

@SheldonK (Comment 16) : Ruan Combrinck, Deon van Rensburg and Deon Helberg are all players who should make the SR squad but are playing for the Vodacom Cup team this weekend

Comment 18, posted at 30.01.14 12:11:33 by Baylion

@Baylion (Comment 18) : What about that guy that played for the Lions in CC? Name escapes me at the moment but he a quick coloured guy, think he was at UJ. Also is a guy like Ruan Nel good enough? Kobus DeKock? Coenie Van Wyk? Have the Cronje twins been discarded?